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A day in the life of a housekeeper |
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Thursday, 02 March 2006 |
 | Alex Hannah
Linda Eastridge sweeps the stairs in Hoey Residence Hall.
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by MICHAEL COOPER
Intern Lifestyles Reporter
Tuesday was no ordinary day for Linda Eastridge, a housekeeper in Hoey Residence Hall. It was also her 37th wedding anniversary.
Even though the day was a special occasion for her, she went to work as
usual, cleaning the first four floors of the residence hall.
Eastridge’s husband, Dean, works the night shift as a truck driver for
Salem Carriers, so there would not be much time for her to spend with
him that night.
“We celebrated a little over the weekend,” Eastridge said.
Her momentous day started bright and early, like it always does,
because she has to commute to the job from nearby Mountain City, Tenn.
This is an improvement over her last occupation, however.
After working for Shadowline for many years as a seamstress, Eastridge
moved on to a convenience store when the place shut down. She had to
wake-up at 3:40 a.m. every morning to arrive to work on time.
“I had to get there early and cook breakfast because we were also a deli,” Eastridge said. “I was by myself until 11 a.m.”
It was at this store that Eastridge first heard about working for
Appalachian State University, when a friend of hers, who also works as
a housekeeper at the school, came in.
Her friend pitched the idea of switching professions and Eastridge jumped on the offer.
“I enjoy coming to work. It would be bad to have to go to work if you
did not like what you did for a living,” Eastridge said. “I’ve got a
real nice bunch of kids this time.”
For fun, Eastridge enjoys working in her flower garden when she can
find the time in her busy schedule. She also loves to spend time with
her family, including daughter Tammy, son in-law Bobby and especially
her 13-year-old grandson Justin.
“He usually comes over every weekend to visit us,” said Eastridge. “I
get a lot of enjoyment out of him, and we have lots of fun together.”
While janitors, custodians, cooks, waiters and those alike often go
unnoticed or underappreciated around campus, Eastridge said she still
feels like her work is worth it.
“The girls on the fourth floor gave me a gift certificate to Outback
Steakhouse for Christmas and make cards all the time,” Eastridge said.
“All of the students in the dorm are real nice, friendly and polite,
and it makes you feel good when you do get thanked.”
DAILY PLANNER | | Wake up and gets ready for long day ahead
Make sure husband has everything he needs and prepare for work
Drive from Mountain City, Tenn., to Hoey Residence Hall
Check e-mails and begin prepping for cleanup. Wash mops, gather new trash bags and make sure everything is ready to start Clean entire lobby except for very small portion in back. Clean microwaves, sinks, front doors and an elevator. There is no telling what might be found in the elevator at this early hour
Empty all trashcans/recycling bins, put furniture back where it goes
15 minute break. There is another 15-minute break at 2:30 p.m.
Start on floors, from fourth floor down. Pick up drink cans and wrappers, and wash and mop the floors. Wipe washers and driers and clean them out. Bathrooms: trash, scrub sinks, clean toilets, spray showers, sweep, mop and refill paper | Daily lunch break. (Sometimes Linda and her coworkers go out to eat, but usually bring food with them to work)
Continue to clean the floors one by one doing the same task on each. Every now and then, there will be some “special” messes to take care of. If Linda finishes the floors in time there are also stairs to be swept, windows to be washed, and offices to be cleaned
Drive back to Mountain City
Go into house, set down pocketbook and go right back to work. Prepare dinner and snack for husband to take to work. Wash clothes or clean around house. Eat dinner with husband and do dishes
Kick back on recliner with Trixie, a Jack Russell terrier, and watch some TV. She can finally relax in comfort
Bed
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